Josef Průša: The Czech Visionary Printing Europe’s Future in 3D

“I was into live music performances, I needed knobs and faders, and I decided to build a self-replicating 3D printer,” recalls Průša. “My design quickly became a de facto standard.”

In 2012, he dropped out of university to establish Prusa Research.

Today, the Prague-based company, which has expanded to the United States, employs 1,200 people, exports to all continents, and generates over €160 million annually.

Josef Průša’s award winning printers serve global firms such as Philips, Mercedes, FB or SpaceX, leading research institutes such as the MIT or CERN, and even NASA.

Also used by scores of small businesses and startups, his machines have fueled other Czech success stories. Software firm Sensio.cz. used them to create MyCello—and became Europe’s largest producer of electric cellos.

Prague’s hype Andělský Pivovar brewery also uses Prusa printers to make promotional items and equipment parts—cutting costs while keeping production in-house.

Empowering Local Innovation

Listed as the 99th richest Czech by Forbes magazine, Josef Průša believes 3D printing can help “bring manufacturing back to Europe,” helping entrepreneurs to innovate locally at affordable costs.

“The same machine can power a hobby—or a company of 100,000 people,” says Průša. “It is truly limitless.”